Gaming Guru

How to treat the dealers

Many articles are written about good dealers, bad dealers and all the dealers in between. I've written these articles too. However, rarely do we read articles about how players should treat and behave with the dealers. Indeed, there are good players, bad players and players in between.

First, players should know the order of the payouts on winning bets. This will prevent them from yelling out, "I didn't get paid!" and causing the dealer to respond, "I haven't gotten to you yet." The dealers have enough to worry about without having to worry about a loud and stupid player. Such players tend to slow down the action, annoy the dealers and also annoy the other players.

Players should also know that they should buy into the game when the dice are in the middle of the table. Throwing money on the layout when the shooter is throwing the dice makes the dealer have to watch the dice and the money too.

As a simple sign of good fellowship, players should take a look at the dealer's name badge and call the dealer by name. That helps to create a friendly atmosphere at the table. Dealers do not want to be treated as "things that pay off bets" as I heard one disgruntled player state.

At all times, players should talk respectfully to the dealers, the boxman, the floor person and the pit boss, even in the case of a dispute. If the player doesn't think something was done correctly, say a bet wasn't paid off or not paid off at the right amount, screaming and yelling about it merely causes everyone at the table to get wound up. Just state your case -- politely -- and allow the boxman, floor person or pit boss to judge the situation.

If you found that a dealer or a crew were particularly friendly and professional, making the game flow and fun for you, then take the time to write a letter praising these dealers. Most dealers usually have to deal with complaints and rarely are they praised, especially in writing, for their performance. I do this when I feel an individual has done an outstanding job. These letters help to solidify the dealer in the eyes of management and, just as important, they make the dealer feel good about his job performance.

If you have played craps for any length of time, you know how difficult it is to deal with the public. There are enough whining, moaning, whimpering, cursing, fuming craps players that, piled on top of each other, they could be taller than the Empire State Building. It only takes one creep to spoil a workday. Anyone who deals with the public on a daily basis knows exactly what I am talking about. One apple can spoil the barrel of today. So don't you be such an apple.

I highly recommend that you tip the dealers. I know in some blackjack circles tipping is frowned upon. The thinking here is that the casino has an edge on every bet so why throw money away giving it to the dealers.

Dealers make minimum wage or slightly above and rely on tips to make their salary requirements. Just as barbers, hair dressers, waiters, waitresses, valet parkers and a host of other jobs require tips, so do dealers. My experience has been that most craps players do not tip.

How you tip, how much you tip, is certainly up to you. My belief is that you make the best bets for the dealers -- the same best bets you should be making for yourself. That would be a pass line bet or a placement of the 6 or 8. I would forget about throwing out hard ways or Crazy Crapper bets. The dealers will actually make less money on these bets over time, so a big chunk of your tip will not be going to the dealer but to the casino.

I have always believed that tips for craps dealers should be paid off at true odds. That would not hurt the casino since this is merely a break-even game. Why should the craps dealer have to give over some of his tip to the house? That seems unfair to me.

Of course, you could just throw the tip out there without betting it and then the dealers would get to keep all of it. But this is a dull way to tip, especially when the game is flowing smoothly. A tip can get the dealers into the game on the players' side too.

I also recommend "controlling the bet," which means that the dealers only keep the win but must leave the actual bet on the number. Now multiple hits will bring in the money for the dealers and a hot roll could bring in a lot of money. When you have the dealers up on a number, a good streak will certainly be exciting for them and for you. More money can be made if you control the bet.

Some casinos, in their ignorance, will not allow a player to control the dealers' bets. That's not a problem. Just place the dealer's bet on top of one of your bets. Then you control it completely. You just give the win on that bet to the dealers and continue to keep the bet on top.

Finally, don't blame the dealers for a bad session. They have nothing to do with whether you win or lose. Their job is to run the game. They are not in charge of dolling out portions of Lady Luck's largesse. So if you have to complain, then complain to the gods of chance -- not to the dealers.

This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network. Melissa A. Kaplan is the network's managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. To contact Frank, please e-mail him at fscobe@optonline.net.

Frank Scoblete is the #1 best selling gaming author in America. His newest books are Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines; Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker!; Beat Blackjack Now: The Easiest Way to Get the Edge; Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!; Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players; Casino Conquest: Beat the Casinos at Their Own Games! and The Virgin Kiss.

Frank and Casino City Times columnist Jerry "Stickman" teach private lessons in dice control. Frank's books are available at Amazon.com, in bookstores or by mail order. Call 1-800-944-0406 or write to Frank Scoblete Enterprises, PO Box 446, Malverne, NY 11565. Frank can also be reached by email at fscobe@optonline.net.

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Books by Frank Scoblete:

Frank Scoblete is the #1 best selling gaming author in America. His newest books are Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines; Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker!; Beat Blackjack Now: The Easiest Way to Get the Edge; Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!; Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players; Casino Conquest: Beat the Casinos at Their Own Games! and The Virgin Kiss.

Frank and Casino City Times columnist Jerry "Stickman" teach private lessons in dice control. Frank's books are available at Amazon.com, in bookstores or by mail order. Call 1-800-944-0406 or write to Frank Scoblete Enterprises, PO Box 446, Malverne, NY 11565. Frank can also be reached by email at fscobe@optonline.net.

Books by Frank Scoblete:

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